Democratic Illinois Lt. Gov. Nominee Arrested for Domestic Battery
What Chicago election is complete without elements of domestic violence, prostitution and tax evasion?
A Chicago pawnbroker who financed his campaign with nearly $2 million of his own wealth, Scott Lee Cohen Tuesday won the Democratic Party’s nomination for Lieutenant Governor. But with new details of Cohen’s sordid past emerging today, Democratic primary voters will soon be wishing they had given his five rivals a second look.
Cohen allegedly held a knife to his then-girlfriend’s neck in October 2005. Charges were later dropped after the woman, once convicted of prostitution, failed to appear in court to testify against Cohen.
A police report of obtained by the Chicago Sun Times said the woman had scaring and defensive wounds on her hands “from trying to defend herself against the arrestee swinging the knife at her.” Additionally, Cohen “pushed [the] complainant’s head against [a] wall, causing a bump on the back of her head.”
The arrest came only months after Cohen’s former wife filed for divorce and was awarded by the courts a temporary protection order. Cohen’s deep bench of troubles don’t stop at reports of domestic violence, as records also indicate also he had federal tax problems.
Cohen disclosed his domestic battery arrest at the outset of his campaign, but details of the episode–namely, that he wielded a knife against his live-in prostitute girlfriend–surfaced only after voters had gone to the polls.
Pat Quinn, who leads in the count for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination and succeeded disgorged former Governor Rod Blagojevich last January, is keeping quiet on the matter.
At a post-election presser, Quinn fielded questions on his likely running mate, but said he was unaware of the details of his 2005 arrest.
“I don’t know. Any information to come out, people will look at,” he said. “I have no idea. I think the voters voted yesterday. We’ll see what happens.”
UPDATE: Ed Morrissey notes the unenviable position of scandal-plagued state Democrats, whose democratic and senatorial bids have been jeopardized by Wednesday’s revelations.
According to the latest Rasmussen poll, Republican Representative Mark Kirk leads Democrat Alexi Giannoulias by a comfortable six-point margin. And the extent to which Cohen’s scandal will be a drag on Quinn’s candidacy cannot be overstated, and is amplified by near-constant reminders from the ILGOP of Blogojevich’s expulsion from office.
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[...] Cross-posted to Skepticians.com. [...]
HOLY HELL! If this isn't a drag on the ticket, I don't know what is. Seriously, he clobbered a hooker; that wouldn't even pass in Jersey.
I had to go look this up to make sure, but Illinois elects its governor and lieutenant governor on a joint ticket; so unless this Cohen guy steps down voluntarily (which I don't see happening), Illinoisans won't be able to vote for the Democratic gub candidate (Quinn) without also voting for Cohen. If you're a conservative in this blue-leaning state, that has to give you some cause for optimism!
[...] Lee Cohen, who allegedly threatened his prostitute girlfriend by brandishing a knife and throwing her against a wall, Tuesday won the Democratic Party’s nomination for lieutenant governor, edging out five other [...]
[...] Lee Cohen, who allegedly threatened his prostitute girlfriend by brandishing a knife and throwing her against a wall, Tuesday won the Democratic Party’s nomination for lieutenant governor, edging out five other [...]
[...] Lee Cohen, who allegedly threatened his prostitute girlfriend by brandishing a knife and throwing her against a wall, Tuesday won the Democratic Party’s nomination for lieutenant governor, edging out five other [...]
[...] which late Wednesday weathered accusations the candidate once held his prostitute girlfriend by knife-point after throwing her into a [...]
[...] which late Wednesday weathered accusations the candidate once held his prostitute girlfriend by knife-point after throwing her into a [...]
[...] Cross-posted to Skepticians.com. [...]
Heaven help us!!!!
Where was this information before election? Do we have any media coverage in Illinois? Does any newspaper investigate before an election? Where is honesty and faith in the newspapers?